In the last few days, nearly 10 percent of the players in the NBA got traded. Think about that. Apparently the NBA GMs have been watching their baseball counterparts too much.

We won’t really know how all this will shake out for a few months, but what follows is our first impressions. And grades. We like to give things grades.

Atlanta Hawks(Out: Mike Bibby, Jordan Crawford, Maurice Evans. In: Kirk Hinrich, Hilton Armstrong.) The Atlanta Hawks needed to upgrade at the point guard spot and Hinrich is an upgrade. He’s a better defender, a better decision maker, and can knock down the three almost as well as Bibby. This is a good trade for the Hawks from a talent perspective. They still don/t match up with Celtics/Heat/Bulls, but they got better. Grade: B

Boston Celtics(Out: Kendrick Perkins, Nate Robinson, Marquis Daniels, Semih Erden, and Luke Harangody. In: Jeff Green, Nenad Krstic, a first round pick [top 10 protected] from the Clippers, a 2nd round pick from the Cavaliers, and cash from the Kings.) We talked about this, Boston got worse now for the hopes of easing the transition after the big three leave. The question is how much worse and can Danny Ainge find any scraps out there bought out by other teams that can help? I don’t like messing with the core in the middle of the trade deadline. Grade C-

Charlotte Bobcats(Out: Gerald Wallace, Nazr Mohammed. In: Joel Przybilla, Dante Cunningham, D.J. White and Morris Peterson.) This was all about saving money; Wallace was owed $21 million over the next two seasons. But in doing so the team got worse, they were 1.5 games out of the last playoff spot and they will now take a huge step back. Grade: D.

Chicago Bulls(Out: James Johnson. In: first round pick from Toronto.) Nice move all around. Johnson was out of the Bulls rotation but is starting in Toronto. He gets a chance, and the Bulls get a pick they could use. Grade: B

Cleveland Cavaliers(Out: Mo Williams, Jamario Moon. In: Baron Davis, first round pick.) Yes for this was all about the pick, and they were paying for that by taking on Davis. I get why you do it. But I think an unhappy, unmotivated Davis is a bigger drain on your organization than the Cavs realize. Grade: D

Denver Nuggets(Out: Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups. In: Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov, Wilson Chandler, Kosta Koufos, first round pick) Their had was forced and at the end of the day they did fairly well under the circumstances. They will make a playoff push this year to at least get in, but they are in rebuilding mode now and need to make bold moves in the future. Grade B-

Golden State Warriors(Out: Brandan Wright, Dan Gadzuric. In: Troy Murphy.) Murphy is about to be bought out, this was about saving money. Which is nice in these recessionary times. Grade: C

Houston Rockets(Out: Aaron Brooks, Shane Battier. In: Goran Dragic, Hasheem Thabeet, first-round pick from Memphis.) Your big winner here could be Chase Budinger, who will get more minutes at the three with Battier gone. Budinger dropped 30 the other night and could really blossom now. Aside that, they get a pick to rebuild on and a quality point guard in Dragic and a pick. You would have thought Battier could have drawn more in, but it helps start the rebuilding and isn’t terrible. Grade: B-

Los Angeles Clippers (Out: Baron Davis, first round pick. In: Mo Williams, Jamario Moon.) Fantastic trade for the Clippers, just to get out from under the Baron Davis contract. Mo Williams can play and more importantly spread the floor with his three-point shooting. Grade: A-

Minnesota Timberwolves (Out: Corey Brewer. In: Anthony Randolph, Eddy Curry.) It’s probably not going to make a big difference. Brewer was out of the rotation. Anthony Randolph will get some run and we’ll see if he can start to live up to that potential. Probably not, but no harm in the risk. Grade: B

New Jersey Nets(Out: Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, Troy Murphy, two first-round picks. In: Deron Williams, Brandan Wright, Dan Gadzuric.) They needed to get a big piece to start building around and they got a very good one. It didn’t come cheap, but they punked the Knicks a little in the process so it worked out well. Grade: A

New Orleans Hornets (Out: Marcus Thornton. In: Carl Landry.) The Hornets were looking for depth along the front line, they got it with a professional and hard working player. Good pick up. Grade: B+

New York Knicks(Out: Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov, Corey Brewer, Wilson Chandler, Eddy Curry. In: Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Renaldo Balkman, Shelden Williams.) They wanted the second star, they got it in Carmelo Anthony. There are serious questions about fit, there are a lot of steps left for them, but the Knicks are going to be entertaining if nothing else from here on out. Grade B+

Oklahoma City Thunder(Out: Jeff Green, Nenad Krstic. In: Kendrick Perkins, Nazr Mohammed.) This was a brilliant trade. Sure, a bit of a risk because Perkins is coming off an injury and could be a free agent, but the Thunder addressed their biggest need — a defensive presence in the paint — with one of the best in the game at it. They just got a whole lot better and the West playoffs just got a lot more interesting. Grade: A

Phoenix Suns(Out: Goran Dragic, first round pick. In: Aaron Brooks.) Does this make them that much better? Not a bad move but I still don’t see what the big picture plan is. Grade: C

Portland Trail Blazers (Out: Joel Przybilla, Dante Cunningham. In: Gerald Wallace.) The Blazers did well with this one. They are taking on more long term salary but Wallace and Nicolas Batum give them fantastic defensive wing players. Man, if Brandon Roy were healthy this team would be scary. Grade A-

Sacramento Kings(Out: Carl Landry. In: Marcus Thornton, Marquis Daniels.) Landry is the kind of solid professional that fits better on a playoff team than the rebuilding Kings. Thornton showed a lot of promise as a rookie, but the return of Chris Paul and a change of role threw him off. We’ll see how he adjusts to playing with Tyreke Evans (when he returns) but it’s not a bad risk for the Kings. Daniels is not expected to play the rest of this season, that was a money thing. Grade: B

Toronto Raptors(Out: first round pick. In: James Johnson.) Really depends on how the shooter pans out. He started and scored nine against the Bulls, but did they really need to give up a first for him? This is a time-will-tell thing, but it’s good to see him get the chance. Grade C

Utah Jazz(Out: Deron Williams. In: Derrick Favors, Devin Harris, two first-round picks.) The Jazz had a challenge with Williams. Owner Greg Miller said he saw what happened with LeBron, with Carmelo Anthony and he didn’t want that to happen with the Jazz and Deron. So they were insanely proactive. They got a decent amount back, you never get equal money for a superstar but they got some nice pieces. But the hardest piece to get is the superstar and they traded theirs away before they had to. Grade: D+

Washington Wizards(Out: Kirk Hinrich, Hilton Armstrong. In: Mike Bibby, Jordan Crawford, Maurice Evans.) We like Jordan Crawford, he could be the kind of shooter that could develop into the kind of guy to go with John Wall. Mike Bibby will not be happy backing up Wall, being a veteran on a losing team, or much of anything else. The Wizards do save a little money. There was demand for Hinrich, could the Wizards have done better? Grade: C-

another article by Kurt, another bashing of the Cavs. Why is the possibility of Davis not working out more important to mention than the possibility that it could work. or the trade of a 2nd round pick for 2 bigs with some potential or the first round pick. Nope, you go ahead and keep focusing on what you think is a horrible organization that up until this summer was actually viewed as a franchise that teams should be envious of.

I’ll take Baron Davis in order to have 2 lottery picks this year to go with the 2 second round picks. I’m pretty sure that by the time the Cavs are able to be on the verge of competing Davis will be a footnote.

Oh, way to mention that Baron Davis and Byron Scott have talked all year about their admiration for each other…JJ Hickson may not have the offensive game that Blake Griffin does, but at least he will go through the motions of defense every once in a while. Davis will be fine.

This also leaves out the 2 players Cleveland got from Boston.I think they made good moves to get younger as a team with 2 lottery picks and a young center to play next to J.J. I’d say that they deserve better than a D grade, but we won’t know until we see where they pick and who they get in the draft.

how in the hell does previous play on the court affect grading a trade? the trade is based upon the trade itself, not the team’s record. and if it were about the record, getting an unprotected lottery pick should in itself make this an A. At best, Cavs have 1 and 2 pick. at worst 4 and 13. What’s a D about that? any other team doing the exact same things and Kurt would have given it an A.

Actually I’m a fan of the Magic but I think if your going to post an opinion article you should have the whole story correct,the note the players leaving Boston but no mention of them coming to Cleveland.

I think the point a lot of writers are missing is that Marquis Daniels is done for the season. If Pierce goes down to injury or gets in foul trouble (which is a distinct possibility guarding Lebron, Wade, or Kobe), Boston is in big trouble. If this were to happen and Boston was exposed at the 3, everyone would be arguing why Danny Ainge didn’t make a move for some help.

Also, could they pay Perkins to stay? I doubt it. I like the proactive move not to let the franchise turn into a black hole and begin transitioning now while still being competitive. Now you’ve got Rondo, Green, Big Baby, a top 10 pick, a developing Avery Bradley, and some money to spend.

IF Shaq and Jermaine can get healthy and contribute, the trade looks pretty good. Plus, the Troy Murphy sweepstakes are still on the radar.

I don’t know if a D+ grade is fair for Utah. Even if Williams stays, the ship is sinking in Utah. Start rebuilding now. Two first round picks is a good place to start. Devin Harris is still a fairly solid PG and everyone seems to think Favors could develop into a very solid pro. Maybe look to move Jefferson and get Favors lots of time.

Was it really a loss for Charlotte? If they keep Wallace, sneak in as the 8th seed, then what? Get slaughtered by Boston, Miami, or Chicago? What’s the point? They couldn’t afford to pay him anyway. Blow it up, save some money, start over. Try and attract some free agents.

Phoenix has got to start thinking about the post-Nash era and Aaron Brooks fits the up-tempo mold perfectly. Definitely not enough, but it’s a start.

I think you’re missing the expiring contract of Eddy Curry as a key impetus for Minnesota’s move.

You forgot to talk about Memphis…. but I guess they are an afterthought like always. I thought they were huge losers, couldn’t pawn off Mayo for anything useful, took on Battier while giving up another pick when they already have a logjam, plus he’s gonna be a free agent anyways. I don’t have a clue what they are thinking.

I think Memphis was trying to get rid of Thabeet! Mission Accomplished. The pick they traded is top 14 protected, so it won’t be a great pick. Also, if you haven’t noticed, the Grizzlies are terrible at drafting players. Most people in Memphis love Battier because he was the face of the franchise when they first moved to Memphis. He is also a decent defender and a great energy/hustle guy off the bench. I don’t know how you don’t give the Grizzlies at least a B on this trade.

Williams is a nice pickup for the nets ONLY if they can be sure of keeping him long term. They gave up long-term potential and upside for a guarantee that only lasts through next season. It was too early for Utah to act and too much for the Nets to give up for what could easily be a long term rental.